Peace Corps Invitation
My eyes skimmed straight to the word Madagascar, in bold face. I froze.
I got my invitation on Tuesday. The excitement was tempered by the foreknowledge that I was definitely going to Africa—I’d received an e-mail the week prior telling me as much. I also knew that I’d be getting the invite soon. But it still sent my heart racing. I saw it in my e-mail inbox and read the words “Peace Corps Invitation.” I waited a few seconds to click on it, savoring the excitement. I leaned toward Ashley and said something like, “Here we go!” Then I clicked on it.
My eyes skimmed straight to the word Madagascar, in bold face. I froze. My first response was blankness. A moment later elation set in—and hard.
“I’m going to Madagascar,” I said to Ashley. Then I walked into the next room.
“I’m going to Madagascar,” I said to Tom and Jen. Then I left the IS office and walked down the hall.
“I’m going to Madagascar,” I said to the accounting department. Everyone congratulated me. I shook the excitement out of my hands as I walked back to my desk to read the rest of the e-mail.
As I read chunks of the letter, intermittently clicking on links and opening new tabs, I began to get a sense of the avalanche of paperwork and preparation that was falling towards me. I read through my specific assignment, the Madagascar welcome guide, the Peace Corps handbook, and any info I could find on the country. I began to make a list of my next steps: accept invitation, apply for passport and visa, get final medical exam and dental exam, write statement of aspiration and send with updated resume to country desk, etc. etc.
I looked at my deadline for accepting the invitation—seven days hence, my medical deadline and final paperwork deadline—two months and one month before departure respectively. I’d better get the ball rolling, I thought. Then I looked back at the invitation. Why shouldn’t I go ahead and accept it on the spot? Was there any reservation about doing this? I barely even had to think about it—there was none. I gave my welcome documents a good hour’s attention, then accepted. I was all in.